Creative Boom’s 2026 community poll highlights 15 illustrators shaping the global illustration scene, emphasizing originality and human touch in an AI-saturated era. The list spans established names like Noma Bar and Malika Favre to emerging talents such as Anna Micheloni and Genie Espinosa. The article celebrates craftsmanship, individuality, and the enduring commercial relevance of distinctive illustration.
Creative Boom profiles London-based illustrator Jake Hawkins, exploring his conceptual approach to editorial illustration and his work for major publications like The Economist, The Guardian, and Gay Times. The article highlights his focus on queer themes, metaphor-driven visuals, and the balance between speed and creativity in editorial contexts. It also touches on his tools, process, and personal inspirations.
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The article profiles Melbourne-based designer and illustrator Rob Farmer, whose generative animations like the 'Data Blooms' series explore natural patterns through digital motion. Using Cavalry, Farmer creates kinetic, algorithmic compositions inspired by the natural world. His work bridges personal experimentation and professional commissions for clients like Google and Coinbase.
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It’s Nice That announces the February 2025 edition of Nicer Tuesdays in New York, featuring talks from Nicolas Heller (New York Nico), Lexie Smith of Bread on Earth, photographer Daniela Spector, and illustrator Chantal Jahchan. The event will explore themes of documentary storytelling, editorial illustration, and creative research. Hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed, it promises an evening of inspiration for the creative community.
Creative Boom’s 'Hotlist 2025' highlights 25 of the most admired graphic designers worldwide, as voted by their peers. The article profiles leading figures such as Jessica Walsh, Felix Pfäffli, Emily Oberman, and others, showcasing their influence, studios, and creative philosophies. It serves as an inspirational roundup of current design talent shaping global visual culture.
Liz Gorny’s opinion piece for It’s Nice That explores the precarious state of editorial illustration in 2024. Through interviews with illustrators Nishant Choksi and Sergio Membrillas, the article highlights shrinking budgets, the impact of AI, and the decline of magazine commissions. Despite these challenges, both artists express cautious optimism about the evolving landscape and new opportunities for creative expression.
